Exam Directory

Microsoft has released a new three-tiered certification hierarchy. It consists of three series and four credentials that introduce an entry-level Technology Series composed of the “Technology Specialist” credential, a Professional Series composed of the “IT Professional” and “Professional Developer” credentials, and the Master Series composed of the “Master” credential. There also exists a new Architect Series composed of the “Microsoft Certified Architect” program, which consists of a Review Board interview.

Technology Series (MCTS)

The Technology Specialist certifications enable professionals to target specific technologies, and are generally the first step toward the Professional-level certifications. There are currently 20 MCTS certifications, which can be roughly grouped into the following specializations, each requiring certain examinations to be passed:

Office Specializations

Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007

• Exam 70-632: Microsoft Office Project 2007, Managing Projects

Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007

• Exam 70-633: Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects

Forefront Client and Server, Configuration

• Exam 70-557: Microsoft Forefront Client and Server, Configuration

Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuration

• Exam 70-630: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring

Office SharePoint Server 2007, Application Development

• Exam 70-542: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 – Application Development

.NET Framework Specializations

.NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications

• Exam 70-528: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation

.NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications

• Exam 70-526: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation

.NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications

• Exam 70-529: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation

SQL Server Specializations

With the exception of Obsolete Certifications, Microsoft generally offers upgrade paths, which allow a person holding a previous generation certification to upgrade to the current generation paths by sitting upgrade exams. Typically this is a single normal exam, usually consisting of a mixture of questions from the composite exams making up the current certification path. Using this upgrade feature, professionals in the field can maintain their certification standards without having to start from scratch every few years.

With the introduction of the Professional Series your MCTS, MCITP, or MCPD certifications will retire when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology. Typically, mainstream support is discontinued 7 to 10 years after the initial product release. When support ends, your related certification will retire.

Microsoft’s initial communications about the Professional Series certifications was announced that a “refresh” or recertification of the MCITP and MCPD credentials would be required within three years. This policy has changed. To address the needs of the worldwide customer base, the updated policy is to retire a certification when mainstream support for the related technology retires. There is no action required from you if you earned a Professional Series certification before the policy change; the updated policy applies to your certification, which will be valid until mainstream support for the related technology retires.

Technology Specialist Series (MCTS) Upgrades

There are no upgrade paths that lead only to an MCTS certification. All prior certification paths lead to either an MCPD or MCITS certification, which will indirectly confer the relevant prerequisite MCTS certification on the successful candidate.

Microsoft has specified more than thirty objectives for the 70-562 test. These objectives are grouped under seven topics. Following are some important areas in which an individual should possess good knowledge before taking the 70-562 test:

1. Configuring providers.
2. Configuring authentication, authorization, and impersonation.
3. Configuring projects, solutions, and reference assemblies.
4. Configuring session state using Microsoft SQL Server, State Server, or InProc.
5. Publishing Web applications.
6. Configuring application pools.
7. Compiling an application using Visual Studio or command-line tools.
8. Implementing data-bound controls.
9. Loading user controls dynamically.
10. Creating and consuming custom controls.

The Microsoft test 70-562 is designed to measure an individual’s ability to develop ASP.NET Web applications using Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. Before taking the 70-562 test, you should practice the following:

1. Configure providers.
2. Configure authentication, authorization, and impersonation.
3. Configure projects, solutions, and reference assemblies.
4. Configure session state using Microsoft SQL Server, State Server, or InProc.
5. Publish Web applications.
6. Configure application pools.
7. Compile an application using Visual Studio or command-line tools.
8. Implement data-bound controls.
9. Load user controls dynamically.
10. Create and consume custom controls.
11. Implement client-side validation and server-side validation.

Q. What is the 70-562-C# exam?

A. This certification exam measures your ability to develop applications using ASP.NET in a development environment that uses Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. Maximize your performance on 70-562, a required exam for the new Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 ASP.NET Application Development certification.

Q. What are the prerequisites for the 70-562-C# exam?

A. There are no specific prerequisites for this test, although it is recommended that planning to take 70-562-CSHARP, exam should have a minimum of two to three years of experience developing Web-based applications by using Microsoft ASP.NET.

Q. What are the benefits to becoming a MCTS: 70-562-C#?

A. The benefits to becoming a MCTS: 70-562-C# are as follows:

• Microsoft products are most widely used today and the MCTS: .NET 3.5 certification proves expertise on the Microsoft products and technologies.
• Professionals holding the MCTS: .NET 3.5 certification enhances employment opportunities for programmers.
• MCTS: .NET 3.5 certification is helpful for professionals who have entry-level certifications in related technologies to upgrade their credentials and get recognition from the industry.
• MCTS: .NET 3.5 Certified professional get special offers and discount on Microsoft products and other selected products from Microsoft.

Q. What credit does the 70-562-C# exam provide?

A. Exam 70-562-C#: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development: counts as credit toward the following certification(s):

• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Applications
• Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD): ASP.NET Developer 3.5
• Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD): Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5